Downingtown volunteers stunned by council cuts

DOWNINGTOWN – Volunteers from the recently disbanded Historical and Parks Commission say they are surprised and hurt by borough council’s decision last week to disband the commission, leaving their future uncertain.

Historical and Parks Commission volunteers said they would have preferred a warning from council or administration about the possibility of being discontinued until further notice and why.

“We had absolutely no knowledge, no discussion ... no one has reached out to us about it since,” said Patricia Harootunian, who served as the commission’s chairwoman. “We found out when it happened, as it happened.”

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Harootunian, a commissioner for seven years, said another volunteer informed her.

“Somebody sent me a text about it,” Harootunian said. “That’s how I found out.”

Some of the commissioners were in attendance at the meeting when the decision was made by a 4-2 vote. Council members Nick Winkler and Ann Feldman dissented.

“It was obvious to anyone sitting there that council members Winkler and Feldman were surprised by this,” former commissioner volunteer Tony Babcock said about council’s meeting on Jan. 15.

Winkler voted against the decision, saying he wanted a plan in place if the commission was disbanded. Feldman is the council liaison to the commission, who questioned the reasons for disbanding a volunteer commission that its members said makes money for the borough.

According to Harootunian, the commission raised $8,000 to $10,000 yearly from its events during the past five years. She said the commission events function as a service to the community. “We’re just stunned because nobody’s told us that we’ve done something wrong,” Harootunian said.

She said people volunteer because they want to present activities that will better the community. She said the volunteers are passionate about their efforts.

“In return for our passion we were disbanded without comment or cause,” she said.

The volunteers said they felt blindsided the decision. Votunteers Harootunian, Tony and Elaine Babcock questioned why the commission was disbanded when during the discussion, council and administration said the commission did a good job hosting community events.

A statement last week to the Daily Local News stated that council is restructuring committees to add staff involvement. The statement is on behalf of council President Anthony “Chip” Gazzerro, Vice President Alex Rakoff, and councilwomen Cara DeStefano and Patricia McGlone, all of whom voted to disband the commission.

The statement said that the commission did the tasks of two committees and there is a need for a historical commission to focus solely on historical preservation.

Council members said they may decide to separate the commission into at least two committees, one as a historical commission and the other as park and recreation. Gazzerro said council will decide that at a later time.

“I think everybody is hurt and disappointed that this has all happened,” Tony Babcock said. “You put your heart and soul into it and then it’s like having the carpet pulled from under you.”

Tony Babcock ran for council during the November 2013 election, but did not win a seat. He said he wanted to have transparency in council chambers, which has “gotten worse, in my opinion.” He said one of the duties of council is to discuss matters and to listen to input by other council members.

Council said the change will allow for more volunteers to join and help plan events. Harootunian said there are five vacancies on commission for the 11-member board. She said while the commission lacked numbers, “we were doing excellent with what we had.”

The volunteers said they often ask family members to help at events.

Gazzerro said the commission was originally combined with the duties of historical preservation and parks and recreation due to a lack of volunteers.

McGlone, new to the council, said she understands the need for more volunteers to participate in the two committees.

“As I sat and listened to conversation, I realized it was important to separate the commission into two separate groups,” McGlone said. “They both have a great work of deal to do in the future.”

The volunteers are worried about upcoming events that are in the planning process. They said they spent countless hours volunteering and planning events, and are surprised the commission is discontinued.